'Somnath Still Stands': PM Modi's Message on a Temple That Survived 1,000 Years of Attacks

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has marked a special moment for one of the country's oldest pilgrimage sites, the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, as it completes 1,000 years since its first known attack. 

In a piece published this week, PM Modi reflected on the long and turbulent history of the shrine. He wrote that though the temple faced repeated attacks over the centuries, it was rebuilt again and again and that this resilience tells a bigger story about the spirit of the country and its people.

PM Modi described Somnath as more than just stone and structure. He said it stands as a symbol of enduring faith and the courage of generations who refused to let it be forgotten. He noted that each time the temple was destroyed, communities and leaders came together to restore it. 

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote,"Jai Somnath! 2026 marks 1000 years since the first attack on Somnath took place. Despite repeated attacks subsequently, Somnath stands tall! This is because Somnath’s story is about the unbreakable courage of countless children of Bharat Mata who protected our culture and civilisation. Here is my OpEd on this issue."

Why is this milestone significant?

The year 2026 marks a full millennium since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple, which historical records cite as occurring in January 1026 when the Turkic ruler Mahmud of Ghazni raided the shrine. Over the following centuries, the temple was rebuilt several times and also faced destruction by later invaders. Today’s structure, which draws millions of pilgrims every year, reflects that long cycle of loss, recovery and renewal. 

In his message, PM Modi highlighted not only the temple’s spiritual importance but also its cultural and historical place in Indian society. He wrote that the temple’s ability to rise after devastation reflects a broader Indian ethos of resilience and civilisational strength.

“Somnath had great spiritual significance. It was also on the coast, giving strength to a society with great economic prowess, whose sea traders and seafarers carried tales of its grandeur far and wide. Yet, I am proud to state unequivocally that the story of Somnath, a thousand years after the first attack, is not defined by destruction. It is defined by the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata," wrote PM Modi.

What broader message did the PM send?

PM Modi's piece went beyond historical reflection. He tied the story of Somnath to a message of hope and renewal for the nation. He pointed to figures like the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar and others who helped restore the temple, saying their efforts show a long tradition of collective commitment to preserving heritage.

By underscoring both the hardships and the rebuilding, the prime minister suggested that challenges, whether in the past or present, can be overcome when communities stand firm together. 

A temple and its place in India's story?

The Somnath Temple in Prabhas Patan is considered the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, and has deep roots in Indian spiritual life. Its story is woven into many historical accounts and cultural narratives of resistance and faith. The modern temple, rebuilt in the 20th century after decades of effort, stands as a major pilgrimage and tourist site in Gujarat. 

PM Modi’s reflections this week echo a broader public interest around the temple’s history as India marks the 1,000-year milestone.